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Antigua is such a charming town located 1 hour drive away from Guatemala City – the capital of Guatemala. The town is known for its beautiful architecture, rich history, incredible vibes and.. oh yeah, it’s surrounded by volcanos! Antigua actually used to be the capital of Guatemala, and today it’s a popular destination for travelers looking to experience the country’s unique blend of indigenous and Spanish influences. In this Blog, we will take you through how we spent 2 days in Antigua, and how we recommend you to do it.
Why not check out our video exploring the town? 😄 ⬇️
Firstly, how you should explore Antigua?
Antigua is a small town that’s easy to explore on foot, so no need to rent a car. However, do note that the pavement is made out of rocks and there are sections which are uphill, so if you have reduced mobility, you may find it a little challenging.
Take a stroll through the cobblestone streets of the historic center, where you will find colorful buildings, artisan shops, and charming cafes. One of the main attractions in Antigua is the Parque Central, which is the main square of the city. Here, you can enjoy a cup of coffee or a fresh drink while taking in the lively atmosphere.
Day 1: Arrive and get to know the city
In the day you arrive, you will want to get settled in and get out to explore. This of course depends on where you stay and what time of the day you arrive, but we recommend you to walk around the town and find yourself in the Parque Central. This is the main square where you can feel how vibrant the town is and grab a fresh drink as well.
If you walk around this area you will also find several stands where they sell tours – we highly recommend you to consider doing to Acatenango Volcano climb. It’s hard, but very rewarding, and the views are extraordinary. You’ll only be able to fit this trip if you have 4 days in Antigua, as this in an overnight trek, and you need to account for 2 days for it. We wrote a blog about it which you can find here, or you can also watch our video on Youtube here.
You should then walk towards the famous Arch, to not only see it but take some nice pictures. If you cross the Arch and look at it from a certain Angle, the Volcano fits right in the middle of the picture, which gives for a beautiful (and iconic) view. If it’s getting dark however, we recommend you to leave this one for the day after.
Keep walking around the city and choose a local place to eat in – you can find local food (we recommend you try the famous pepián) as well as international options. We tried many different restaurants and were never disappointed with the food. If it’s about sunset time, you can find a restaurant with a rooftop, where you can see the views of the mountains surrounding Antigua.
Day 2: Explore everything Antigua has to offer
We recomend you to start day 2 with a good traditional Guatemalan Coffee from a local coffee shop – this is one of the best regions in the world for coffee, so if you like it, make sure not to miss it!
Then, head to the Museum of Colinal Art – we found it to be super beautiful, not busy, and we got to learn about the history of the Spanish Colonisation times. The entrance fee was Q50 (about $7)and it took us about 30 minutes to explore the whole museum.
If you didn’t get to see the Arch on Day 1, this is your time! A short walk away from the Museum, you will find yourself in the most iconic place of Antigua. Take some pictures, enjoy the views, and get ready for a walk uphill, because the next place you should see is pretty iconic (but hard to get to).
You can perhaps leave this for the afternoon (but not right after lunch), because now, you will hike up to Cierro de la Cruz! This walk should take you about 30 minutes from the Arch and it’s all uphill, but the views you get from there are nothing short of breathtaking! You see the whole city with the volcano on the background, and for us, it was the prefect place for our favourite picture to date 😍
In the afternoon, keep strolling around the city and find yourself in the Mercado de Artesenias. This market is full of local gems and you can find pretty much everything you need, from fruit, to fridge magnets, to clothes.
And if this is your last day, well, watch the sunset and find a place to dine, because your trip is a wrap! Say goodbye to the beautiful town of Antigua, but not the the memories, because they will last forever.
Top 7 things you CANNOT miss in Antigua
f you have limited time in Antigua, here’s a summary list of all the places we think you should try to fit into your visit. You can create an itinerary at your own pace and based on the time you have:
- The famous Arch
- Parque Central
- Museum of Colonial Art
- Cierro de La Cruz
- Mercado de Artesenarias
- Seeing the sunset from a bar with a rooftop
- Strolling the city
So, tell us, will you be visiting Antigua Soon?
